190 West 4th Street (at Barrow St.) 212-918-1986 www.thespaniardnyc.com
Gastropub. If the words “chopped broccoli” don’t instantly blow your mind, you have not dined at The Spaniard. Once you’ve sampled their creation (napa cabbage, pecans, feta, sherry vinaigrette) you can never be the same again. This salad is nothing less than life changing and I say that with not one ounce of exaggeration, because the combination of flavor and fabulousness of texture are destined to leave you fanatically devoted. I could have simply departed, deliriously happy, but would have missed out on everything else they do so well. Their respect for shrimp cocktail is reflected in the hugest and freshest of the Gulf variety, then richly supported by horseradish with seasoning – courtesy of Old Bay. They are just as adept at Buffalo wings in hot sauce (not chicken, but duck), the blue cheese and celery enhancing an already beautiful dish. Everything I’d sampled was listed under “smalls” though I found them to be blissfully plentiful. There were also several “bigs” from which to choose and, after much debate, I came down on the side of the patty melt (dry aged, with cheddar, bacon, McClure’s pickles) on Texas toast. It was pretty much the ultimate sandwich and I almost shed a tear when I was done. I cannot suggest strongly enough that you swing by The Spaniard. It is not often that broccoli deserves to be on a bucket list.